Borderline immunodeficiency in male homosexuals: is life-style contributory?

South Med J. 1987 Jun;80(6):687-91, 697. doi: 10.1097/00007611-198706000-00006.

Abstract

Results of our study suggest that white Southern male homosexuals without clinical evidence of AIDS who patronize "gay bars" may have significant zinc deficiency and moderately depressed T-helper/T-suppressor cell ratios. No single causative factor could be identified to explain the significantly low zinc and elevated copper levels measured in whole blood, as well as the depressed OKT4/OKT8 cell ratios. Seventy-four percent of the homosexual male subjects were "recreational" drug abusers, 81% used inhalant nitrites routinely, and 41% routinely treated themselves with antibiotics. Eighty-one percent practiced active and/or passive penile-oral insertion, and 55.5% practiced both active and passive anal intercourse. Of the latter, 19% reported anal bleeding. Clinically inapparent, though statistically significant, borderline immunodeficiency and aberrant zinc and copper levels may be a consequence of multiple factors comprising the gay bar life-style.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / etiology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Copper / blood
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Life Style*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
  • Zinc / blood

Substances

  • Copper
  • Zinc